The Ondo State Government has dismissed the claims by a senior lawyer that some officials have been forging the signature of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who is currently recovering from an illness.
The lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, had alleged on a television programme that he had evidence of notable disparities in the signatures of the governor on some memos approved by him while he was away for medical treatment in Germany.
Ajulo, who is also a political activist, said he had contacted private investigators to look into the matter and that their results were “so damning”.
However, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Titiloye, described the allegation as baseless and mischievous, saying that only the governor could assert that his signature was forged. Titiloye said that the governor had two types of signatures, one for quick memos and another for official documents, and that there was no way they could be forged. He also accused Ajulo of being politically motivated and urged him to present his facts before the public.
According to a report by Punch ,the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, also denied the allegation, saying that nobody was exploiting the governor’s temporary absence for personal enrichment. She warned the mischief makers to desist from spreading false information that could cause confusion in the state.
Meanwhile, another lawyer, Allen Sowore, has called on the State Executive Council to set up a technical panel to investigate the alleged forgery and bring the culprits to book. Sowore said that the investigation was crucial to uncover the circumstances behind the existence of multiple signatures purportedly belonging to the governor on sensitive government documents. He also advised the accounting officers, heads of agencies, and establishments in the state to exercise greater diligence and caution in the discharge of their official duties.
Governor Akeredolu is still recuperating in his Ibadan residence, where he had been since returning from a medical vacation in Germany. The governor, who is serving his second term in office, is widely regarded as one of the progressive leaders in the country.
He has initiated several developmental projects and policies in the state, such as the establishment of the Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub, the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun), and the legalisation of marijuana cultivation for medical purposes.
His supporters and well-wishers have been praying for his speedy recovery and return to active duty.
